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If your over 50!
http://www.kawi2strokes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9579		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  67lotus49 [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:  If your over 50!
I have been having problems with my health the last few years and decided to change insurance company's. I had Blue Cross for over 20 years and
the rates have been going up and the quality of care going down. Getting a $1300 bill for blood work for my annual physical 3 years in a row was just to much.
Switched to Kaiser Permanente and what a difference. I like how I can get all my results online instead of calling for months to find out what's going on.
Just had a Colonoscopy today and was just $100 co-pay, Blue Cross was going to be $3500 out of pocket :o Doctor visits are $20 instead of over $300.
I can finally afford decent health care, and when your a old timer, it's vital to have. I have lost a few friends to Colon cancer so if your over 50 guys,
make that appointment.
Author:  Ja-Moo [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
I never thought I would see the day, we would be seeing posts about butt cams........ :wtf: :shock: :wtf:
Author:  Jim [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
Ron, when I went to a local doctor for a physical, and asked for a referral for a colonoscopy, I was referred to the local hospital. I made the appointment and spent half a day "pre-registering". At the end of that waste of time, I finally was sent to the lady in charge of the financial stuff, who told me that Blue Cross wasn't going to cover me because I was only 48, two years too young. Even after explaining my family history, they said I'd have to pay $1,800 bucks. I canceled everything and went home, telling my wife what I learned. She did a little exploring and found that if I went to a clinic that worked with Blue Cross, it would cost me a $50 co-payment. I've gotten two that way so far, with next to zero red tape. With our coverage, it pays big time to make sure the doctor and Blue Cross are OK with each other before running up the bill.

Kaiser's thing is they're an HMO, so they have control over their costs. They're OK too, from our past experiences.
Author:  Tim Steele [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
Tis the season:
I just had mine done and they found 5 polyps they sent off. They found out I have sleep apnea and IBS as well... the joys of aging. Like my Daddy said " Gettin' old aint for pussies".
Author:  mraxl [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
Medical insurance is a big bag of worms and a lot of people don't understand the consequences of their choices. Most payments are based on Medicare guidelines even though they are private insurance. Physicians are paid monthly by HMO's for their reluctance to prescribe treatments. They are also compensated for referrals to the hospital they are affiliated with. Be very careful about being treated only as an outpatient when having procedures performed without being admitted to a hospital as the cost difference can be dramatic. Most personal cost at hospitals can be negotiated to the level of Medicare approved cost which is significantly lower than billed cost. Any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare agrees, by law, to accept Medicare allowable charges, whether or not Medicare is the insurance being used.
Insurance is a pet peeve of mine!!! Big name companies are not necessarily the best choice. Several of them flat issue denial of payment as standard practice. It is only when you bitch that that will fulfill their obligations.
This is really a topic that has political ramifications and probably shouldn't be on the board. :shifty:
Author:  BarryB [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
Agree Dale it can get political. But a lot of people don't know about the issues with insurance.

Glad Ron has kaiser though. I was raised with Kaiser, I had it for 10 years when I worked for the phone company and when I went to the private sector my wife went to work for Kaiser just so we could have their benefits. I really miss them. Back in the Day they had issues but I think by comparison they're great. My ex-wife still works there some 25 years later and my younger son does IT there.

They have a large complex in Denver and some smaller offices here but they're not in-plan with my current employer.

Insurance costs are like a lot of things, do your research and by and large, you get what you pay for. No such thing as a free lunch.

PS - I just got notice I'm due next month for my Butt check up too. I don't mind the procedure so much it's the freaking crap you do before it. :e7
Author:  67lotus49 [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 5:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
I started this topic because of health issues and how it makes it hard to get the services you need at a affordable price. Since most of us here
are getting up in age we can't let things go un-checked. Not interested in talking politics here Dale, just suggesting that health issues are not
let go so we all we be around for a while. I deal with pain everyday and it makes me feel hope now that I can afford to get the help I need. I am fortunate
that I can get insurance through my work now, will change my life.
Author:  mraxl [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 6:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
There can be significant premium differences for the exact same coverage.... buyer be aware!
As a side note.... Medicare Advantage plans can be a total ripoff!
I'm in a business where I bill direct to ins co's & Medicare for services.... it's not a foreign topic to me.

Lotus, I understand better than you will know about the issues with heath care and insurance. It is a good thing for all to be cognoscente of health issues and the ways to control costs associated with it.

I was just billed over $53K for a hospital procedure/stay. The Medicare approved amount was $37K.
Another recent instance was a $2k charge for a blood test where $66 was approved and accepted.
Author:  RODH2 [ Mon Dec 08, 2014 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
I had Bowel Cancer 14 years ago, and with Radiation and Chemo. it was still a close run thing - it hurt a LOT!! So don't be shy about getting a check-up guys, it's easy. Not Political, 'cos I'm on the other side of the planet, but Australia's universal health-care system costs something like 1.5% of your taxable income, and it works!! When I was sick, I had 300+ needles in 18months, before I lost count - not scared of needles now, just a little apprehensive! :roll: (It's fun to look back, because I can...!) :D
Author:  Moriniman [ Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: If your over 50!
Quote:
Australia's universal health-care system costs something like 1.5% of your taxable income


But that's Socialism!!

(getting in before the Yanks do)

;)

Trevor
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